More Portmanteau Plays Part 21

Where is Aoyagi?

RIKI

Is she not here?

OBAA-SAN

She is not here. Where--Riki!

RIKI

I left her in the bamboo glade--and when I returned she was gone. Her footprints pointed toward the path--and then were lost.

OBAA-SAN

Why did you leave her?

RIKI

I left her because she--I left her.

OBAA-SAN

I do not know, Riki, what has come to pa.s.s--but this I know--I am waiting for her.--I am waiting for her. Go seek for her--and bring her back to me.

RIKI

I shall search for her.--Obaa-San, she--

OBAA-SAN

I care not what she did. I am waiting here for her.

[_Riki looks at Obaa-San a moment and then understands._

RIKI

Aoyagi!

[_He goes out. Obaa-San turns to the empty house--the empty willow tree._

OBAA-SAN

She will come back to me.

[_She goes into the house. The Gaki enters._

THE GAKI

Foolish Riki! He searches in the valley. Mad Aoyagi! Alone with the lonely stars!--Oh, wondrous misery that makes itself.

[_He sees Obaa-San. She enters from the house._

Good-morning, Obaa-San, my friend.

OBAA-SAN

Good-morning, traveller.

THE GAKI

Why do you rise before the dawn?

OBAA-SAN

I could not rest.--Why are you not at Kyushu?

THE GAKI

There is a mist at Kyushu--and I feared to lose my way.

OBAA-SAN

Did you pa.s.s a little lady--Aoyagi, by name--alone--

THE GAKI

It seems--I met a little lady.--She was not happy.--That one?

OBAA-SAN

Where?

THE GAKI

I am a stranger here--I cannot say. Over there--or over there.

OBAA-SAN

She will come to me, perhaps.

THE GAKI

Do you know her?

OBAA-SAN

She is my daughter,--Aoyagi.